MALAYSIA’S 52nd anniversary of independence is upon us. 2009 has thus far already been tumultuous for our nation, with political infighting, rising criminality, mysterious deaths in custody, delayed whippings, and by-elections galore. We’ve also seen crowds running in the face of teargas canisters. State assemblypersons under a tree, in full regalia. Clandestine camera phone stills [...]

Wearing black headbands that say “Bubar DUN”, delegates chant “Allahuakhbar!” as they vow to campaign for a dissolution of the Perak state assembly SHAH ALAM, 6 June 2009: Debates on the second day of the 55th PAS Muktamar saw support for party’s place in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, but also anxiety over the party [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2009: Debates at the PAS Youth muktamar today were heavily tinged with a pro-ulama flavour. However, there were no strident calls for the PAS deputy president’s post to be given to a cleric at the main party elections tomorrow. Speakers today, however, upheld the concept of leadership by ulama with some [...]

“They said if I win the contest, I could rejoin the party and I would be given the Deputy Chief Minister 1 post.” INDEPENDENT candidate Aminah Abdullah, on part of the alleged bribe offered to her on 13 May 2009 by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) supreme council member Cheah Kah Peng and Lim Eng Nam, [...]

Are independent candidates part of the BN’s ploy? INDEPENDENT candidates have become a sort of joke in Malaysian politics, ever since the record-breaking 13 independents decided to slug it out in Bukit Selambau in April 2009. All 13, however, lost their deposits on polling day on 7 April, during which it was clear that voters [...]

‘TIS the season for by-elections, or so it must feel to Malaysians, who have been subject to six — Permatang Pauh, Kuala Terengganu, Batang Ai, Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau, and now Penanti — since the general election in March 2008. And now, we stand on the brink of yet another one — in Manik Urai, Kelantan. [...]